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Viewpoint from Izabela Clarry 09/06/2017
Izabela Clary
Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Gorleston
as published in the Yarmouth Mercury
Picture: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40017599
 On Tuesday 23rd of May we woke up to extremely sad news of the horrific attack that happened the night before in Manchester. Many innocent people lost their lives and were injured, most of them were children. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and friends. Atrocities like this should never take place and they are a very tangible evidence of the presence of evil in this once perfect, world
Amongst the sad news of the events of that tragic night, there were some reports that highlighted the response of the people of Manchester. A response that is truly admirable
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said "We are grieving today, but we are strong"*
People of Manchester stood together. Instead of fuelling hatred, they demonstrated love. Countless acts of selfless kindness happened that night. Strangers came to help the families and children, offering them practical help, like food and shelter. People donated everyday items to those being treated in hospitals
 There were heroes like Paul Reid, who ran back to the arena when he heard the blast and tried to help a dying 8 year old Saffie Rose Roussos, wrapped her in his coat and tried to reassure her**
Or a homeless man, Stephen Jones, who was sleeping nearby, and started helping the victims before the paramedics arrived**
Or Jacob Brentnall, who drove 200 miles, and got no sleep that night, in order to help strangers ***
These are just a few people amongst countless of others, who gave up their time, energy and resources to help the victims
Is this what Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote in Romans 12: 21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (NIV)
This is the spirit manifested by people of Manchester that night, spirit that will not allow hatred to win. We are looking forward to the day when Jesus comes back again and puts an end to all evil and hatred and the love will triumph
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40017599
** https://uk.yahoo.com/news/forklift-truck-driver-cradled-dying-bomb-victim-saffie-8-told-youll-ok-092233110.html
*** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-40036849
For official response from the British Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, please visit: http://adventist.org.uk/news/2017/buc/thoughts-and-prayers-with-manchester-victims?utm_source=BUC+NEWS&utm_campaign=6563ab7d11-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_05_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5a09e1f568-6563ab7d11-86040589
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